According to Source 1, Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalistic political ideology that places the interests of individual citizens behind the interests of the state. It is a form of totalitarianism (a system where state is supreme over everyone and everything, aiming at total control).
Fascism's Brief History
Fascism first emerged shortly after World War I, between 1914 to 1918. The ideology's original founder was an Italian man named Benito Mussolini. After WWI, much of Europe was facing poverty and great amounts of debt. People everywhere lacked nationalistic spirit and motivation, feeling as though their country failed them during the war. Fascism became very popular during this time, appealing to all of the dissatisfied and unfilled people throughout all social classes. Men were hungry to seize power, and what better time to do it than when your nation is in terrible distress? People were welcoming to the hopeful idea of restoring both order and national pride by ending the 'soft' democracies and establishing a new, charismatic leader and governing system for their country. (Source 2)
Features in the Fascist Ideology
Although every fascist state or country follows a slightly different governing system, there are several common features in all, such as authority (power flows down from leader, not up through the people), populism (use of propaganda/organization which causes people to become more enthusiastic about their nation yet remain obedient to their leader and his orders), nativism (their country's traditions and heritage are superior to all others), violence (evidence of strength, used against enemies), anti-communism (unlike communism, nations are the basis of identity and international interactions. Spirituality and spiritual duties are important), and charismatic leaders. Fascism puts propaganda, posters, slogans, uniforms, rallies, parades and festivals to immense use, in order to generate national pride and loyalty within their citizens and provoke fear and hatred against their enemies. The system grew in popularity rapidly due to their use of emotions to gain followers, not reason. Fascism requires that the leader receives complete compliance from his/her people in order for the system to work successfully and efficiently. If there are rebellions, these ideas are rejected and people involved are severely punished.
Classic Fascism
Classic fascism occurred in Italy between 1922 t0 1943. In the years leading up to their switch to fascism, Italy seemed to be headed for a civil war. War debts damaged national finances. Angry peasants demanded land reform. Rioters demanded cheaper bread. Trade union membership grew from 250,000 in 1918 to 2,300,000 in 1920. Politicians divided between liberals, socialists and Catholics, seemed powerless to govern firmly.
In October of 1922, Fascist groups took over railway stations, post offices, telephone exchanges and other public buildings/services. They defended their actions, saying that if the country was sliding to chaos and violence, they would patriotically keep communications running. Mussolini, the Italian Fascist party's leader, demanded that the government prevent socialist leaders from striking, or else the Fascists would march on Rome and take over completely. The guardian of the constitution invited mussolini to become prime minister, coming to power legally. One month later, the king and parliament gave mussolini powers of dictatorship for one year. The Fascists undoubtedly fixed the 1924 elections, which secured Mussolini's position in power.
In 1925, under the dictator's rule, many things were banned and punishment became more serious. In 1926, the Fascists became the only legal party in all of Italy. Government and judicial jobs were only allowed to party members.
Unlike the usual dictatorships, Fascism in Italy was not exceptionally brutal. Beatings were regular, but during the whole course of Fascist powers, only 4,000 political opponents were imprisoned, and ten executed.
Racial fascism occurred in Germany between 1933 to 1945. Similar to Mussolini, Hitler owed power to a head of state weary of unstable government and fearful of chaos. In late July of 1933, the Nazis became the only legal party. This began the Gleichschaltung (streamlining) of any possible opposition. Anti-Nazis, communists, Catholics, union leaders and journalists were sent to concentration camps for 'political education' (beatings and torture). There are many differences between classical Fascism, found in Italy and Racial Fascism, also known as Nazism, found in Germany.
- Fascism lasted almost twice as long in Italy as Nazism did in germany
- Mussolini made himself a dictator by stages over several years, Hitler became a dictator more quickly than Mussolini
- Italy's monarchy remained and the Roman Catholic church wasn't attacked, while there was no German monarchy and Nazis were openly hostile to religion and tried to revive pagan beliefs and ceremonies.
[Source 2]
Fascism Political Goals
Fascism could be described as the “Extreme Right” and most people don’t see it on the left-right political spectrum. Fascism was influenced by both side of the spectrum; they were conservative and anti-conservative, national and supranational, rational and anti-rational. Fascism is a view of mixed theories. It’s usually viewed as a right-wing due to its social conservatism.
Scientists say;“The more a person deems absolute equality among all people to be a desirable condition, the further left he or she will be on the ideological spectrum. The more a person considers inequality to be unavoidable or even desirable, the further to the right he or she will be.”
Fascism withholds a revolutionary ideology, it believes that the elite should lead, they detest bourgeois values, and it had totalitarian ambitions. Fascism is also influenced by anarchism (on the far- left of the wing). Mikhail Bakunin was the leader of the anarchist’s; their concept to provoke action including revolutionary violence captured the attention of Mussolini.
Mussolini (1919):“Fascism is against the backwardness of the right and the destructiveness of the left.” Fascism is based on a lot of ideologies. Mussolini was interested in Plato’s ideas such as the system of elite minority rule by the more intellectual rulers which were called philosopher kings who should have full control over the political and security aspects of a society. Fascism is greatly influenced by absolute monarchy which is another political viewpoint. It was also influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of “ubermensch” which is a theory to live dangerously which is also believed to be aggressive nationalism; Gabriele d’Annunzio, Mussolini’s inspiration, incorporated it to Italy’s government. Nietzsche, d’Annunzio, and Mussolini all avoided Christianity, the bourgeoisie, democracy, and reformist politics.
Fascism Social Goals
Mussolini promised a social revolution that would change the people of Italy. The only people who benefited from the Italian fascist social policies were the middle and lower-middle. These classes were the ones who worked the jobs starting from 500,000 to 1,000,000 jobs in 1930. Health and welfare spending grew, with welfare rising from 7% of the budget in 1930 to 20% in 1940.
The OND (National After-work Program) was Created in 1925, it was the state's main recreational organization for adults. It was beneficial to the people of Italy because It is estimated that, by 1936, the OND had organized 80% of salaried workersand, by 1939, 40% of the industrial workforce. The OND was a big fascist organization.
Fascists only promoted social welfare to upgrade economic conditions affecting their nation; they did not support social welfare as a whole. They appreciated social Darwinist views.
What form of government was fascism? In fascism, the country is considered to support nationalism and extreme power. A country under this kind of rule is run by a dictator. Fascist leadership could also be similar to an oligarchy, such as in Italy, where the fascist party was ruled by its grand council. Fascism Role in World War II Fascism was the leading ideology of Germany and Italy. These ideologies led both countries to start a war that they were sure they would win. Their belief was based on the thoughts that they were superior to all other countries. This political viewpoint caused them to fight even though it was hopeless for them to win the war; instead of negotiating, they simply fought against help. This political party acquires full social and economic control, and it is dictated. Since nationalism was a big factor for the uprising of Germany and the beginning of World War II, it was greatly influenced by the Fascist ideology. Fascist countries viewed their military as one of the most important aspects of their country, which also ties in with Germany since they relied on their military forces to gain control. They believed that was positive and a way of improving their society and they were excited for a new war. Any important vocabulary ®Authority; the power is from the leader and the people don’t have a say. ®Populism; propaganda/organization cause people to become more enthusiastic and obedient. ®Nativism; tradition and heritage are superior to anything else. ®Violence; evidence of strength used against enemies ®Anti-Communism; allies form between fascism and Roman Catholic Church – also against communism. ®Totalitarianism; State is supreme over everything aiming at total control ®Conservative; A political ideology of preserving the idea’s, against radical changes. ®Nationalism; Patriotic for one’s own country. ®Political Spectrum; A way of modeling different political parties. ®Supranational; having power that surpasses national boundaries. ®Dictator; A ruler that has total power over a country; typically by force. ®Anarchism; Belief in ending any political organization ®Bourgeoisie; a high class person ®Oligarchy; A small group having control of a country. ®Darwinism; A theory of evolution claiming that new species arise by natural selection.
Sources
"Causes of World War II." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2011. Web. 29 Mar 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_World_War_II>. Source 1:
Wikipedia contributors. "Fascism." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2012.
Fascism
What is Fascism?
According to Source 1, Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalistic political ideology that places the interests of individual citizens behind the interests of the state. It is a form of totalitarianism (a system where state is supreme over everyone and everything, aiming at total control).
Fascism's Brief History
Fascism first emerged shortly after World War I, between 1914 to 1918. The ideology's original founder was an Italian man named Benito Mussolini. After WWI, much of Europe was facing poverty and great amounts of debt. People everywhere lacked nationalistic spirit and motivation, feeling as though their country failed them during the war. Fascism became very popular during this time, appealing to all of the dissatisfied and unfilled people throughout all social classes. Men were hungry to seize power, and what better time to do it than when your nation is in terrible distress? People were welcoming to the hopeful idea of restoring both order and national pride by ending the 'soft' democracies and establishing a new, charismatic leader and governing system for their country. (Source 2)
Features in the Fascist Ideology
Although every fascist state or country follows a slightly different governing system, there are several common features in all, such as authority (power flows down from leader, not up through the people), populism (use of propaganda/organization which causes people to become more enthusiastic about their nation yet remain obedient to their leader and his orders), nativism (their country's traditions and heritage are superior to all others), violence (evidence of strength, used against enemies), anti-communism (unlike communism, nations are the basis of identity and international interactions. Spirituality and spiritual duties are important), and charismatic leaders. Fascism puts propaganda, posters, slogans, uniforms, rallies, parades and festivals to immense use, in order to generate national pride and loyalty within their citizens and provoke fear and hatred against their enemies. The system grew in popularity rapidly due to their use of emotions to gain followers, not reason. Fascism requires that the leader receives complete compliance from his/her people in order for the system to work successfully and efficiently. If there are rebellions, these ideas are rejected and people involved are severely punished.
Classic Fascism
Classic fascism occurred in Italy between 1922 t0 1943. In the years leading up to their switch to fascism, Italy seemed to be headed for a civil war. War debts damaged national finances. Angry peasants demanded land reform. Rioters demanded cheaper bread. Trade union membership grew from 250,000 in 1918 to 2,300,000 in 1920. Politicians divided between liberals, socialists and Catholics, seemed powerless to govern firmly.
In October of 1922, Fascist groups took over railway stations, post offices, telephone exchanges and other public buildings/services. They defended their actions, saying that if the country was sliding to chaos and violence, they would patriotically keep communications running. Mussolini, the Italian Fascist party's leader, demanded that the government prevent socialist leaders from striking, or else the Fascists would march on Rome and take over completely. The guardian of the constitution invited mussolini to become prime minister, coming to power legally. One month later, the king and parliament gave mussolini powers of dictatorship for one year. The Fascists undoubtedly fixed the 1924 elections, which secured Mussolini's position in power.
In 1925, under the dictator's rule, many things were banned and punishment became more serious. In 1926, the Fascists became the only legal party in all of Italy. Government and judicial jobs were only allowed to party members.
Unlike the usual dictatorships, Fascism in Italy was not exceptionally brutal. Beatings were regular, but during the whole course of Fascist powers, only 4,000 political opponents were imprisoned, and ten executed.
[Source 2]
http://histclo.com/youth/youth/image/imgnat/fascisti01s.jpg
Racial Fascism
Racial fascism occurred in Germany between 1933 to 1945. Similar to Mussolini, Hitler owed power to a head of state weary of unstable government and fearful of chaos. In late July of 1933, the Nazis became the only legal party. This began the Gleichschaltung (streamlining) of any possible opposition. Anti-Nazis, communists, Catholics, union leaders and journalists were sent to concentration camps for 'political education' (beatings and torture). There are many differences between classical Fascism, found in Italy and Racial Fascism, also known as Nazism, found in Germany.
- Fascism lasted almost twice as long in Italy as Nazism did in germany
- Mussolini made himself a dictator by stages over several years, Hitler became a dictator more quickly than Mussolini
- Italy's monarchy remained and the Roman Catholic church wasn't attacked, while there was no German monarchy and Nazis were openly hostile to religion and tried to revive pagan beliefs and ceremonies.
[Source 2]
Fascism Political Goals
Fascism could be described as the “Extreme Right” and most people don’t see it on the left-right political spectrum. Fascism was influenced by both side of the spectrum; they were conservative and anti-conservative, national and supranational, rational and anti-rational. Fascism is a view of mixed theories. It’s usually viewed as a right-wing due to its social conservatism.
Scientists say;“The more a person deems absolute equality among all people to be a desirable condition, the further left he or she will be on the ideological spectrum. The more a person considers inequality to be unavoidable or even desirable, the further to the right he or she will be.”
Fascism withholds a revolutionary ideology, it believes that the elite should lead, they detest bourgeois values, and it had totalitarian ambitions. Fascism is also influenced by anarchism (on the far- left of the wing). Mikhail Bakunin was the leader of the anarchist’s; their concept to provoke action including revolutionary violence captured the attention of Mussolini.
Mussolini (1919):“Fascism is against the backwardness of the right and the destructiveness of the left.”
Fascism is based on a lot of ideologies. Mussolini was interested in Plato’s ideas such as the system of elite minority rule by the more intellectual rulers which were called philosopher kings who should have full control over the political and security aspects of a society. Fascism is greatly influenced by absolute monarchy which is another political viewpoint. It was also influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of “ubermensch” which is a theory to live dangerously which is also believed to be aggressive nationalism; Gabriele d’Annunzio, Mussolini’s inspiration, incorporated it to Italy’s government. Nietzsche, d’Annunzio, and Mussolini all avoided Christianity, the bourgeoisie, democracy, and reformist politics.
Fascism Social Goals
Mussolini promised a social revolution that would change the people of Italy. The only people who benefited from the Italian fascist social policies were the middle and lower-middle. These classes were the ones who worked the jobs starting from 500,000 to 1,000,000 jobs in 1930. Health and welfare spending grew, with welfare rising from 7% of the budget in 1930 to 20% in 1940.
The OND (National After-work Program) was Created in 1925, it was the state's main recreational organization for adults. It was beneficial to the people of Italy because It is estimated that, by 1936, the OND had organized 80% of salaried workersand, by 1939, 40% of the industrial workforce. The OND was a big fascist organization.
Fascists only promoted social welfare to upgrade economic conditions affecting their nation; they did not support social welfare as a whole. They appreciated social Darwinist views.
What form of government was fascism?
In fascism, the country is considered to support nationalism and extreme power. A country under this kind of rule is run by a dictator. Fascist leadership could also be similar to an oligarchy, such as in Italy, where the fascist party was ruled by its grand council.
Fascism Role in World War II
Fascism was the leading ideology of Germany and Italy. These ideologies led both countries to start a war that they were sure they would win. Their belief was based on the thoughts that they were superior to all other countries. This political viewpoint caused them to fight even though it was hopeless for them to win the war; instead of negotiating, they simply fought against help. This political party acquires full social and economic control, and it is dictated. Since nationalism was a big factor for the uprising of Germany and the beginning of World War II, it was greatly influenced by the Fascist ideology. Fascist countries viewed their military as one of the most important aspects of their country, which also ties in with Germany since they relied on their military forces to gain control. They believed that was positive and a way of improving their society and they were excited for a new war.
Any important vocabulary
® Authority; the power is from the leader and the people don’t have a say.
® Populism; propaganda/organization cause people to become more enthusiastic and obedient.
® Nativism; tradition and heritage are superior to anything else.
® Violence; evidence of strength used against enemies
® Anti-Communism; allies form between fascism and Roman Catholic Church – also against communism.
® Totalitarianism; State is supreme over everything aiming at total control
® Conservative; A political ideology of preserving the idea’s, against radical changes.
® Nationalism; Patriotic for one’s own country.
® Political Spectrum; A way of modeling different political parties.
® Supranational; having power that surpasses national boundaries.
® Dictator; A ruler that has total power over a country; typically by force.
® Anarchism; Belief in ending any political organization
® Bourgeoisie; a high class person
® Oligarchy; A small group having control of a country.
® Darwinism; A theory of evolution claiming that new species arise by natural selection.
Sources
"Causes of World War II." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2011. Web. 29 Mar 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_World_War_II>.
Source 1:
Wikipedia contributors. "Fascism." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 28 Mar. 2012. Web. 28 Mar. 2012.
Source 2:
Tames, Richard. Fascism. London: Hodder Wayland, 2000. Print.